Translation: Julie Summers

It was just two years ago that I got my first potted plant after having been dragged to the garden store by my friends every week. Soon I was hooked, and my apartment was filling up with little green beings that delight the eye and soul alike. It’s like a form of meditation, going from one cutting to the next, checking the soil, watering as needed, trimming the stalks, and replanting. Discovering a new leaf and watching it unfurl also brings immeasurable joy, as if it’s your own personal achievement that the plant is flourishing.

There are endless varieties of potted plants, and beginners may struggle to know how best to care for each one. That’s why I’ve put together a list of reasonably easy-to-care-for plants that I think should grace every home.

Graphics / Margrét Aðalheiður Önnu Þorgeirsdóttir

ZZ plant / Zamioculcas Zamiifolia

First on the list is the ZZ plant, which is great for beginners because it requires little water or sunlight. That makes it perfect for both home and office. The ZZ plant grows in whatever direction it wants, and in my opinion, the more peculiar the shape, the better.

Heartleaf philodendron / Philodendron Scandens

The heartleaf philodendron is one of my favorite plants, and I hardly have to give it any attention. With heart-shaped leaves that grow like it’s going out of style, it flourishes with moderate light and weekly watering. If allowed, it will meander along walls and bookshelves and drape itself beautifully over the edges.

Christmas cactus / Schlumbergera

There are many different cactus varieties named for the time of year when they bloom, each with its own beautiful coloring. This cactus only needs indirect light and watering every 2-3 weeks, so it’s the perfect choice if you have a bright home but tend to forget to water your plants.

Marble Queen Pothos

The marble queen pothos is in the same family as the golden pothos (Epipremnun aureum), but its leaves are marbled with white instead of yellow. It’s a plant that anyone can care for; it can survive with little light or water but flourishes in brighter environments and with weekly watering. Like the heartleaf philodendron, it will grow wherever it can reach. You can let it climb upwards or hang down majestically.

Purple heart / Tradescantia pallida

There are many varieties of tradescantia pallida, but the best known are completely green or green with pink leaves. I’ll warn you that the pink variety has a tendency to scorch and shrivel up easily, but it’s pretty easy to care for the green variety, which flourishes in most conditions. The basic rule of thumb is to put it in a bright space with indirect light and water it weekly.

Swiss cheese plant / Monstera Deliciosa

Most Icelanders are familiar with Monstera. Its popularity probably stems from the mature plant’s large and beautiful leaves. This is a plant that really spreads out, so it requires a lot of space. It’s fairly easy to care for; make sure it has plenty of light and water it every two weeks in the winter and every week in the summer.

Peace lily / Spathiphyllum

You might assume that the peace lily is a drama queen based on how it acts, but it’s actually a pretty easy plant to care for when you know what you’re doing. Make sure the soil is always damp. If it gets too dry, the plant will let you know – the leaves will droop, so don’t be alarmed if you find it in that condition. Just give it some water and it’ll spring back to life. Peace lilies grow best in shady spots, so they’re perfect for homes that don’t have many windows.

Mini monstera / Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma

Tetrasperma is one of those plants that grows like its life depends on it. The best thing to do is tie it to a bamboo stake or a moss pole and allow it to climb upwards. Like so many plants on this list, tetrasperma thrives in bright conditions with weekly watering. It’s a little more challenging to care for than the heartleaf philodendron, however, because the lowest leaves have a tendency to turn yellow and die. But if you want to watch your plant grow – and grow quickly – then this is the one for you!

Graphics / Margrét Aðaheiður Önnu Þorgeirsdóttir

Variegated rubber tree / Ficus Elastica Tineke

This is one of those plants that comes in all sorts of color varieties – from completely green to green with splashes of white and pink. I recommend the variety with white and light green coloring. If you look closely, the pattern looks a bit like camouflage. Rubber tree plants require lots of indirect light and weekly watering. Like most white and pink plants, they scorch easily, so avoid placing them in direct sunlight.

Bird of paradise / Strelitzia

Bird of paradise is last on the list because it is probably the most challenging to grow. This plant requires plenty of light and regular watering, but given the right conditions it will be the pride of your home! It grows tall and wide when given the opportunity, so it’s perfect for a bright corner.

Whether you tend to overwater your plants or completely forget about them, have big windows or small, I hope you’ve found something on this list that speaks to you – and if you don’t have any leafy friends yet, I hope you’ll resolve right now to become a plant parent.

10 Plants for Every Home